Height of the Leg, Positions soulevées

Ballet Legs in Space, the height of the leg

Positions soulevées

Pronunciation: paw-zee-SYAWN sool-VAY

Translation: raised positions

This is a term used by the French school and refers to either the foot is à terre or en l’air.

Par terre / positions des pied pointe tendu

Pronunciation: par tehr/ paw-zee-SYAWN day pyay pwent tahn-DEW

Translation: along the ground

Same as à terre (on the ground), the term indicates that the entire base of the supporting foot or feet touches the ground or that the working foot’s pointed position is to remain on the ground.

En l’air

Pronunciation: ahn-lehr

Translation: in the air

Indicated the movement is done in the air, usually the working leg.

À la demi hauteur / positions de pieds en l’air demi position

Pronunciation: a lah duh-MEE-oh-TUHR / paw-zee-SYAWN day pyay ahn lehr duh-MEE-paw-zee-SYAWN

Translation: half-height

Refers to what Americans might call 45 degrees.

À la hauteur / positions des pieds en l’air

Pronunciation: a lah oh-TURH / pawzee-SYWAN day pyay ahn lehr

Translation: to the height. If either foot is placed at the right angle to the hip

Eating the right angle, most Americans will calls this 90 degrees.

À la seconde

Pronunciation: ah la suh-GAWND

Translation: to the second

This usually means when the working foot is placed in the second position or to the side.